# DNA-Encoded Chemistry Technology (DEC-Tec) Core

> **NIH NIH P01** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2021 · $383,801

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY - DNA-Encoded Chemistry Technology (DEC-Tec) Core
The overall goals of the DNA-Encoded Chemistry Technology (DEC-Tec) Core are to use DNA-encoded
small-molecule libraries to cost-effectively identify specific drug-like probes and preclinical candidates
to target reproductive tract-specific proteins for a contraceptive effect, and to empower our academic
biologists to translate their fundamental science into next generation non-hormonal contraceptives for
men and women. The discovery of new contraceptive medicines to treat rampant population growth and
prevent unplanned pregnancies is one of the most challenging scientific and healthcare problems of our time.
A major roadblock is the cost to develop new medicines. The preclinical phase of drug discovery, which utilizes
high-throughput screening (HTS) technologies and extensive medicinal chemistry, typically takes >4 years and
cost >$20 million for each drug campaign. These costs are untenable in academia and unsustainable in
industry for many therapeutic areas. To overcome this hurdle in academic drug discovery, this NIH P01 grant
takes advantage of DNA-encoded chemical libraries, a unique resource available at BCM. DEC-Tec has
emerged as an alternative technology for ligand discovery that addresses the limitations and economic
shortcomings of HTS. DEC-Tec samples chemical space on an unprecedented scale by allowing interrogation
of >1,000-fold more molecular species (1 billion compounds in our DEC-Tec libraries to date compared to 1
million compounds in the “best” HTS collections), resulting in the direct determination of high-affinity ligands
and structure–activity relationships for our contraceptive targets. In this P01 grant, our DEC-Tec Core will
interrogate novel collections of 3 billion DNA-encoded drug-like molecules to identify drug-like compounds that
possess physiochemical characteristics well-suited for rapid progression to preclinical evaluation. Further
optimization can be achieved using our X-ray Crystallography and Drug Metabolism facilities. Our overall
hypothesis is that DEC-Tec will allow us to rapidly and cost-effectively identify multiple drug-like molecules that
are directed at essential spermatogenic-specific and fertilization-specific proteins, and thereby to create an
assortment of unique contraceptives for men and women. The three Projects will utilize the DEC-Tec Core
equally. The DEC-Tec Core will promote the concept of “Target Action Teams” in which Project scientists work
side-by-side with DEC-Tec leadership, selection scientists, chemists, and cheminformatics staff to review in
vitro and in vivo findings for each drug-like molecule tested. These Target Action Teams will be accountable for
designing and prosecuting the compound discovery campaign and progressing drug-like leads through
additional optimization and testing. The DEC-Tec Core will provide our P01 scientists with a unique and cost-
effective drug discovery resource to produce non-hormonal c...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10164825
- **Project number:** 5P01HD087157-05
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Damian Winston Young
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $383,801
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-05-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10164825

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10164825, DNA-Encoded Chemistry Technology (DEC-Tec) Core (5P01HD087157-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10164825. Licensed CC0.

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